In 1883, missionaries from Mariners’ visited 40 vessels and invited 1500 sailors to the Church.
Beginning in 1886, a Chinese school was held each night of the week under O. T. Walker.
From 1894 to 1896, a day nursery was held.
Summer meetings began in 1904 in Mulberry Bend Park and continued until 1926.
The Church purchased a cemetery plot in Balholln, Staten Island to prevent parishioners from being buried in Potters’ Field.
In 1922 under the tenure of Reverend William Hubbell, Mariners’ Temple became a shelter for homeless men during the winter. Throughout the Great Depression, Mariners’ served as a soup kitchen and a rescue mission to homeless men from the Bowery. During the winter of 1932-1933 alone, over 11,000 cots were provided in the Church dormitory. After the death of Reverend Hubbell, the hall was named in his honor: Hubbell Hall.
In the 1930s, Mariners’ Temple established a program under the auspices of the Police Athletic League as its commitment to youth of the community. Over 500 young adults used the gymnasium for a variety of after school activities. In addition, Mariners’ founded youth clubs, mother’s clubs, and other women’s societies. Worship services were conducted in English, Italian, Greek, and Spanish.
In April 1939, Mariners’ Temple established an unemployment service. Within six months, 157 men found jobs.
English classes were provided for Chinese parents. Second grade tutoring programs were established for children. Layettes and used clothing were distributed to those in need, and recreational programs and scouting activities were provided for the youth of the community.
During the Civil Rights era, Mariner’s continued its service to and for its community. The Mariners’ Temple Congregation participated in both the local and national arenas. In New York City, Mariners’ clergy were involved in picketing a low-income housing project being erected on the Lower East Side, which was considered by many to be an urban removal rather than an urban renewal project. One minister and two church members, a teenager and an adult, participated in a July 4th demonstration in Glen Oaks, Maryland. In both instances, they were among those arrested and jailed for demanding “equal rights.”
In August of 1963, the church chartered a bus to Washington, D.C. where over 30 families participated in the famous “March for Jobs and Freedom.” Fathers who were unable to get time off from their jobs sent their teenage sons to represent them.
As part of its efforts to assist disadvantaged New Yorkers’, Mariners’ rents its adjacent property, JUDD House, to the Facilities Development Corp for use by the New York State Mental Hygiene Department. JUDD House serves as a residence for developmentally disabled adults.
In 1986, the Multi-Ethnic Center was established in response to the chronic problem of academic failure, unemployment and underemployment in the Lower East Side community. Unfortunately, the Center ceased operation in 1996. Nevertheless, the needs of the community continued leading to the founding of the Mariners’ Educational Center (MEC) in 1999, which was incorporated in 2000. Established as a community outreach program, the MEC served kindergarten through sixth graders from the Lower East Side community through its after-school and Vacation Summer Camp programs. The After School Program provided homework assistance, enrichment activities such as computer science, dance, drama and art project. Self-esteem workshops and educational trips were also provided. In addition, the Summer Camp provided regulated sports activities, musical workshops (instrument and voice), drama and educational trips. The MEC was discontinued in June of 2010.
In 1999, the Helping Hands for Jesus Clothing Ministry was born. This Ministry provides clothing to the less fortunate and maintains relationships with homeless shelters in the neighborhood.
As an example of civic responsibility, Mariners’ partnered with the Federal government and was site for recruitment for employees for the US Census 2000 project, with applications and test preparation conducted on site.
On September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center Towers fell, Mariners’ provided an oasis for the neighborhood and served a hurting community. Over the next few years, Mariners’ continued to serve the community through the healing process including providing information on health issues, monetary grants for residents and businesses, and working within the political arena that resulted from the terror attack.
The Mariners’ Community Food Pantry was initiated through funding from September 11th grants to provide non-perishable goods to families in need throughout the local community. Families served include elders, families with 3-4 household members, families with 5-8 household members, and individuals and families who are reportedly homeless. Currently Mariners serves as a site for food distribution for the New York Common Pantry on the first Friday of every month, serving more than 350 families and individuals.
Many of our members and community residents are elderly and have problems with climbing up and down steps. Since the 207th Anniversary in 2002, the congregation has worked tirelessly to install a lift. The lift was finally installed in January 2004. The formal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on the church’s 209th Anniversary on February 22, 2004.